AFCON Final: Tinubu Directs Maximum Support, Urges Super Eagles to Make Nigeria Proud

*Shettima leads FG’s delegation to Cote d’Ivoire 

*Cardiac society warns against over-excitement during final match*Lagos issues health advisory

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

As the Nigerian national team is set to face the host, Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire, in the final match of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, today, President Bola Tinubu has called on all Nigerians to unite in support of the Super Eagles, and to raise their voices in encouragement, and create a wave of national pride that propels the team to glory.

This is coming as Vice President Kashim Shettima is to lead a presidential team to cheer the team to victory just as the Nigerian Cardiac Society yesterday cautioned Nigerians against getting overly excited during the final match and other games and emotional events.
The Lagos State Ministry of Health has also issued a health advisory to all residents ahead of today’s finaal match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire.

Meanwhile, Côte d’Ivoire Ambassador to Nigeria, Kalilou Traore, has extolled the 2024 AFCON tournament as a platform towards deepening Nigeria-Cotè d’Ivoire’s trade cooperation.
 Vice President Shettima had earlier on Wednesday led the government’s delegation to the semi-finals when the Super Eagles defeated the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in a pulsating encounter to qualify for today’s final match.

The Nigerian national team will today face the host, Côte d’Ivoire.
The match will rekindle the memories of Nigeria’s 1-0 victory in the group stage secured through Captain William Troost-Ekong’s penalty.
Recognising the unifying power of football and the immense role the Super Eagles play in fostering national pride and unity, President Tinubu, according to a statement issued yesterday by the Media Assistant to the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, believed that Shettima’s presence alongside the delegation is a testament to his administration’s unwavering support for the team and its dedication to their success.

Tinubu, according to the statement, also called on all Nigerians to unite in support of the Super Eagles, and to raise their voices in encouragement, and create a wave of national pride that propels the team to glory.
 In another development, the Lagos State Ministry of Health has issued a health advisory to all residents ahead of today’s final match.
A statement released by the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, yesterday, outlined some tips to help citizens prioritise their health and well-being while enjoying football matches or any other intense activities.

The statement advised the residents to understand their physical limitations and consult with a healthcare professional if they have any underlying health conditions before engaging in activities that could potentially exacerbate them.
It also urged residents to remain hydrated and nourished. “Crowded poorly ventilated hot environments should be avoided with attention to good hydration. Avoid excessive alcohol consumption, and ensure you drink plenty of water and eat nutritious foods to keep your body fueled and hydrated, especially during prolonged periods of sitting and watching the game,” the statement said.

Cardiac Society Warns against Over-excitement During Final Match

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Cardiac Society yesterday cautioned Nigerians against getting overly excited during games and emotional events.
The society in a statement issued in Ilorin, Kwara State, which was jointly signed by the National President, Professor Augustine Odili; Secretary-General, Professor Chizindu Alinkor and Publicity Secretary, Abiodun Akintunde commiserated with the families of those whose death was linked to the semi-final match played on Wednesday.

The society, however, warned that sports and other emotional events can trigger arrhythmias, heart attacks, and strokes in those with underlying heart conditions.
“The society notes with utmost concern the several reported cases of sudden deaths among Nigerians both at home and abroad directly or indirectly.
“We wish to commiserate with the immediate families of the deceased and the country at large and pray for the repose of the souls of the deceased.
“The reported deaths of at least four individuals occurring during the match leaves much to be desired on the cardiovascular health of Nigerians,” the statement read.

The experts explained that many risk factors are prevalent among Nigerians and are also poorly controlled.
They described sudden death as a natural, unexpected fatal event occurring within one hour from the onset of symptoms, in a healthy subject, or in one whose disease was not so severe to predict such an abrupt outcome.
“Sudden cardiac death can be defined as death resulting from abrupt loss of cardiac function with or without previous heart disease unexpected within one hour of onset of symptoms.

“About 50 per cent of all deaths from heart diseases are sudden regardless of the aetiology. deaths
“It has also been shown that 89 per cent of all sudden cardiac deaths occur outside the hospital and less than 40 per cent are witnessed,” they said.
The surgeons stated that the causes of sudden death are as varied as its presentation, including complications of hypertension, heart attack, stroke, heart failure, cardiomyopathies, valvular disorders and pulmonary thromboembolism among others.